Born in 1947 in Cracow.Graduated from the Jagiellonian University (Polish Language department) and the State Drama School in Cracow . Actor of the Teatr Stary since 1971. Worked with Konrad Swinarski, Jerzy Jarocki, Jerzy Grzegorzeski and Andrzej Wajda. Acted in the films of Agnieszka Holland, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Andrzej Wajda, Krzysztof Zanussi, Feliks Falk and Juliusz Machulski. Present in the Italian film and theatre since 80s. Theatre and film director, pedagogue. Rector of the State Drama School in Cracow from 1990 to 1997.

Received numerous awards for his acting and theatre directing achievements: Nastro d'Argento 1998 for the best European artist granted by the Italian Film Journalists Syndicate, Emerging Master Award 2001 at the festival in Seattle, Super Wiktor 2001 in Poland and the Hollywood Eagle Award at the Polish Film Festival Los Angeles 2004.

THE BIG ANIMAL (Duze zwierz), Special award at the International Film Festival in Karlovy Vary Audience award at Film SUMMER Festival in Kazimierz Dolny Grand Prix at the Eastern and Central Europe Film Festival "Go East" in Wiesbaden 2001 Jury Special Prize in Tambow at the Olden Knight Film Festival

1999

A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF A MAN (Tydzien z zycia mezczyzny) Jury Special Award and Polish Filmmakers Association Award at the PFF Gdynia 1999

1997

LOVE STORIES (Historie milosne), among others: "Polityka" weekly Passport, art house award at the PFF in Gdynia and at the IFF in Venice, FIPRESCI award, Navicella Venezia Film and Anica Flash, nominated to the European Film award Felix 1998 in Best Male Part category

1994

THE CATALOGUE OF ADULTERESSES (Spis cudzoloznic) Jury Special award and, with Jerzy Pilch, award for the dialogues at the PFF Gdynia 1994.